Windows Phone 8.1 Preview reportedly installed on over a million devices in one week

Every month we look at numbers from AdDuplex, the cross-promotion network for Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps. Those numbers give us an overview of how the Windows Phone market has been doing the past month. It’s also an opportunity to potentially spot some new handsets before they come out.

This is actually pretty remarkable when you consider who right now can install Windows Phone 8.1. The only way to get Windows Phone 8.1 is to have an existing Windows Phone 8.0 handset and intentionally join the Preview for Developers program. You can’t buy the Lumia 630 or Lumia 930 yet with Windows Phone 8.1 yet. The update isn’t available to average consumers with an OTA update. You really need to manually install it.

It’s a little humbling to see that only 3.1% of the entire Windows Phone population is running Windows Phone 8.1. It was estimated by AdDuplex back in January that there were about 50 million Windows Phone 7.x and 8 devices in the world. Assuming that's accurate, 3% would equal just over 1.5 million devices. The last time we checked with Microsoft, the Preview for Developers program had less than 200,000 users, making this some very significant growth.

Though it’s called Preview for Developers, it’s really an enthusiast program and many of you out there are running it without ever having written a line of code in your life. That means we, as enthusiasts, make up just three percent of the user base. We really are the vocal minority huh?

Windows Phone 8 is chilling at 78.0% marketshare, while Windows Phone 7.x is clinging to life at 18.9%. It won’t be till later this year that a lot of folks with Windows Phone 7.x will finally have their two-year contracts end. We’ll probably see a big drop in those numbers late this year.

Nokia still king

Is there really any surprise here? Sure, Samsung does have a new Windows Phone 8 handset out with the ATIV SE (see our hands-on), but Nokia is still the only OEM pushing hard with Windows Phone. Nokia controls 93.5% of the market, while HTC holds 4.4%, Samsung at 1.3% and Huawei with 0.8% bringing up the rear. It’ll be interesting to see how this picture looks later this year when all the new OEMs join.

Lumia 520 rocking the top

Again, no big surprise here. The Lumia 520 is still the most popular Windows Phone out there. It controls 34.4% of the global Windows Phone market. Not surprising for a phone that you can pick up for under $100 and in most places, plus if you’re really lucky can find it around $50-$60. Number two is the Lumia 920 at 6.4% and the Lumia 625 in third at 6.3%.

United States / Carriers

Last month Verizon had only 13.4% of the Windows Phone marketshare for carriers here in the United States. Did the Lumia Icon help push sales? Looks like it. Verizon moved up ever so slightly to 13.7% of the carrier share. AT&T is still on top at 34.0%.

United Kingdom

It’s been awhile since the AdDuplex numbers looked at the UK. Curious to which Windows Phones are popular there? Of course you are. Surprise, it’s the Lumia 520 on top at 39.7% of the market. Followed by the Lumia 620 and the Lumia 920. You’ll see a trend of the Lumia 520, Lumia 620 and Lumia 920 all controlling the top positions for most countries.

China

Head to China and you’ll find a slightly different picture for the Windows Phone landscape. On top isn’t the Lumia 520, but the Lumia 920 at 21.2%. It’s also one of the few countries where the Lumia 1020 and Lumia 1520 (two very high-end phones) do well enough to show up on the charts. Most countries will have those devices grouped into the ‘other’ category because they have such low marketshare.

Philippines

In the Philippines the Lumia 520 reigns supreme at 28.6% of the market. It’s followed by a handful of other low-end devices like the Lumia 625, Lumia 610 and Lumia 800.

Misc.

Italy – Lumia 520 at 32.1% and Lumia 820 at 9.6%

German – Lumia 520 at 18.6% and Lumia 920 at 14.2%

Australia – Lumia 520 at 29.3% and Lumia 625 at 11.9%

No new handsets

Normally these AdDuplex reports will show a new handset or two on the horizon. Unfortunately we’re not seeing anything new on the radar this time. RM-1045 are 1080p 5-inch devices that have been popping up around the globe, which means it’s probably the Lumia 930. That’s about it.

Want to win a Nokia Lumia 720, a Nokia Lumia 1320 or a Huawei Ascend W1? Then participate in the monthly photo challenge and their app publishing competition. Just head over to the AdDuplex blog for full details!

Data souce: This report is based on data collected from 3886 Windows Phone apps running AdDuplex SDK v.2. The raw data analyzed was collected over the day of April 17th, 2014 (UTC time) unless otherwise stated. We have made every attempt to consolidate different reported phone model names under their canonical retail model names, but it is possible that some of the rare model name variations were not accounted for.

To me, the absence of Google maps seemed to hurt them a lot in terms of reputation, but I didn't know about the actual sales. Do the people still get it just because it's Apple, or do most people not use navigation? Also, wouldn't Siri die if Microsoft or Google didn't allow them to use Google search or Bing?

True. I am not arguing about the importance of google and microsoft services in ios. I am merely pointing out the fact that apple sells more because of its reputation than anything else. Anyone saying otherwise should look at the sales figures outside US.

While Apple maps did take their toll on Apple's reputation, people eventually got over it, once they improved. And unlike a company like Microsoft, where even the tiniest mistakes can't be forgiven (well, granted, Vista wasn't a tiny mistake, but still...), I hear all the time, "Oh, Apple maps weren't /that/ bad," or "Apple was making maps for the first time, what'd you expect?"

I'm not saying those statements aren't true, I just find it interesting how forgiving people are towards Apple just because of their iconic status. If Steve Jobs knew anything at all: It was how to create a brand.

Maybe because he cant be bothered to see his system in US english which looks horrible in some corners of the phone:) Maybe he also wants his phone to understand him speaking english rather then "american"

They could have if, after they pulled that shameless stunt with WP7.5/WP8, they had offered people a chance to exchange their phones for a new WP8 device for a symbolic price. They didn't. So people kept buying WP7 devices (because they were cheap) long after WP8 came out.

Not really. Actually I know lot of people that went to Android after what Microsoft did to WP7. It was something really really stupid and the timing of the release of the first Lumia devices, which put WP on the map, even worse.

Agreed, it was all kinds of stupid. The biggest damage wasn't just in the consumer market. If I was a developer, I'd still be pissed enough to keep boycotting the platform. At least for five years until I was confident they finally had their shit together.

The whole wp7 not upgrading isn't as bad as you think for a developer. Obviously a little more work maintaining 2 branches of the same code, but it hasn't changed my opinion developing. I personally will continue to support wp7 for a bit longer. The only thing I wont release on wp7 is the unity game I'm working on, as its obviously not supported. You need to remember without doing what they did, they couldn't of made as many changes to wp8 as they have. I for one am happy with how it went.

Congrats man! I predict you will love it. I went from a 900 to a 520 (mic holes got all fouled up on the 900 and I couldn't get them clean enough to be heard properly anymore) and then to the 1520 and boy do I love it. I almost envy you your excitement!

Me too! I'm waiting for it so badly. The existing on 8.1 now can't do is best! Album artwork and backgrounds are no more there. Now in using the mix radio but seems so slow on loading my own music from the storage. I can sync music from iTunes but everytime need to sync like new, not updating the synced one. I can not wait the syncing process of 1000 songs everytime...

True. Windows 8.1 Preview messed up my PC by not allowing me to upgrade to Windows 8.1 proper.
But I still risked upgrading to Windows Phone 8.1 Preview because of the new features.
My Lumia 1520.3 deserves to run the latest and greatest software.

It means running your mouth then being proven to be utterly false and a moron.
Another version, is like running your mouth off to your boss then having to go back and beg for a favor or raise shortly after.

I actually wonder why Philippines is even included in the article, do we have the best wp percentage among SEA countries? I used to be the only wp user and now we are 5. So maybe wp users are growing back in the Philippines after the flood and still is of cheap android phones.

Actually.. Like many of my friends.. We want to try something new and refreshing.. And maybe has a Wow factor. So we tried WP8.. HTC user BTW.. All of my friends are on laggy android. But when they saw how beautiful and fast wp is. They said that will be their next phone. Office integration is a plus and they're really attracted on how people app work.. As well as the messaging hub.. (I hope they bring it back to wp8.1) I really don't like they remove online integration in messaging hub now. I hope also in the Philippines, local manufacturers like MyPhone and Cherry Mobile make a Windows Phone Device.. Since it is said in rumours that WP will be free. :)) let's help the platform by WORD OF MPUTH and SHOWING THEM techniques :))

Disappointed that no new devices were seen. Means we are probably at LEAST six months out. I need a new phone, the flash on my 920 is jacked. The 925 isn't worth burning an upgrade on and I doubt a 1520 would fit in my pants. Doesn't leave me much in the way of options.

Fat chance. It's only fully available in the US where windows phone has a ridiculous market share. In the biggest WP markets (Europe) Cortana is little more than a toy, a useless toy I might add.
Maybe some day if and when its fully available in Europe and other big markets but judging by the Bing track record outside the US I'm not holding my breath.

Indeed. Makes me sad that my over seas counterparts don't get the same great Microsoft experience I enjoy. Extra absurd when you consider how low the US market share is when compared to many international markets.

well Windows Phone 8.1 is amazing! the boring part it's to create the account, after that, everything is just nice.
But I guess some people don't want to risk their phones, but in my case everything seems to run fine if not better. I upgraded my sister and mom to 8.1, they love it!
the only thing I hate it's how wifi is always on now. but oh well, hope nokia firmware will give me back my choice.

I manage my friends, family and coworkers Windows Phones as far as keeping them up to date. I'm looking to secure a new Windows Phone as a backup, probably a 620 so I may be at 14 before summer arrives.

Well,well,well,...microsoft shoud do better when they takes over nokia....they mus5 remember that some if not most of w8ndows phone owner are holding not because they love windows phone..but because they hold asentimental value to everything that is nokia..they must uphold the physical quality which this vocal minority loves about nokia and they must do everything to keep bettering the OS...

It shows a fan base that wants to see Microsoft succeed. I think we (majority of people that have 8.1) can agree that the potential is there and we are curious. I personally think that good things are in store for Windows Phone. And I really don't want to go to either iOS or Android

Yup. While I occasionally lament on lack of features Windows Phone (pretty much completely addressed in 8.1), or see how bad the music situation is right now, I think about how much I dislike iOS and Android, and always conclude that: For better or for worse, I'll see Windows Phone through 'til the bitter end.

I dunno, the Titan II wasn't bad. That was the last time I could think of HTC beating Nokia head to head (and they seemed go have step down from there). It is a shame how the WP7 crowd was screwed over multiple times...8 not being compatible, and being told and shown about 7.8, and only two phones ever really officially getting it. Oh well I've moved on, but would like to see a physical keyboard make its way to 8 sooner or later.

Maybe some folks like me, just waiting for the right hardware. My contract with AT&T was up in Fall 2012. I stayed with my Titan until a 4.7"+ screen was available (I wanted to love the 1520, but it was just too big). So I only recently jumped to Verizon and my new Icon.
These numbers for 8.1 are great. What an opportunity for Microsoft to get major testing from enthusiasts to get those bug fixes in the works before the carriers roll it out.

I'm enjoying 8.1 on my 810 and have been using it all day. I swapped the SIM out of my 925 and into it this morning and can't seem to swap back. LOL. I'm not enjoying the music situation or that I can no longer simply send a photo to OneDrive (although I can email it to myself) via the pictures hub, but I imagine Microsoft will iron these things out once it releases 8.1 officially. I'll most likely update my 925 then, but I think I might keep my 920 at 8. We'll see.